My Kurtz Connections

On Sunday we were blessed with a gathering of my my mother's cousins.  We started this as an annual tradition a few years ago.  When my aunt and uncle in Colorado shipped me several boxes of family photos, letters, genealogy files and miscelaneous papers that had belonged to my maternal grandmother, I spent several months scanning as many of the photos as I could.  Once I got all the pictures digitized I took two suitcases of the original photographs with me to Arizona to pass them back to the various family groups that the pictures were of.   That first visit at Gloria's house was very special as we all shared family stories from over the years.   Our love for each other began to blossom that day, and has grown stronger with every gathering since.  

Last year we held our gathering in November at Don Goddard's place, right before Larry and I were to head out on our mission.   We assumed this year we would be skipping our annual get together due to our mission.  That had worried me since several of the people who come each year are getting up in years and some have had some serious health challenges recently. We never know how many more visits like this there may be.  When we learned we would be getting to come to the USA for this special trip, one of the joys of that was knowing I could be with these dear ones again. I love them more than I can say.  

I especially appreciated my aunt, Nina Lovett (pictured here with her youngest son, John), for hosting the gathering this year.   For many years Nina and I did not have a warm relationship.  The truth is, for a long time I chose not to communicate with her at all.  The reasons why no longer matter.   It is significant to me though, that right before our mission,  Nina and I reclaimed the opportunity to share each other's lives.  Both of us softened our hearts and let go of the harsh judgments that had caused bumps in the past.  I'm so grateful for that.   Life is too short for holding grudges over old hurt feelings or offences.  I feel richly blessed to have Nina back in my life.

Families can be complicated.  The Pendley clan certainly has been.  Yet the blessings of family connection offer a richness to life like no other.   I'm glad that I've learned that lesson before it was too late.

Our Arizona Family

We spent the first part of our USA visit in Arizona.   As we were preparing to land in LA after the 12 hour flight from New Zealand I was shocked to see how BROWN everything looked.   After over a year in a paradise of green, it was a big adjustment.   But once we had been in AZ for a couple days I was reminded that the desert has it's own beauty.

We had a bit of a bumpy re-entry as we had to deal with some car problems we had not anticipated, but once that was taken care of things were pretty smooth sailing.  

It was wonderful to see our family.  We had great visits with Darrin, Kris, Jacob and Troy in Maricopa.  Our annual tradition is to spend Christmas at their house.  They are always so gracious and welcoming when we stay with them.  This time I spent the the visit just savoring our time with them rather than taking photos.   but here are a couple  favorite picture of us from our 2012 Christmas visit.

                               

We couldn't believe how much our grandson, Jacob, had grown since we had seen him last.  We are fortunate that we have been able to stay close with frequent FaceTime Visits, so we see him on a regular basis.  Still, actually getting to be there to cuddle, read books together and play with him was absolutely wonderful!

We were also really glad it worked out that we were there when we could be of the most support to Kris and Darrin.  Troy, Larry's youngest son whom they have guardianship for, had been in the hospital with a serious infection.  He was back home and doing much better when we arrived, but he needed to stay home a few days before the doctors would release him to return to work.  Both Kris and Darrin had to get back to their own jobs, after having spent much time away to be at the hospital with Troy during his illness.  So it was a good thing we could be there to stay with Troy during that time.

There are no words to express how grateful we are to both Kris and Darrin for how well they care for our sweet son with special needs.  We are also deeply grateful for Troy's successful recovery from the basal cell carcinoma on his face that was discovered right before we left.  Although the cancer and the radiation both have left this nose significantly damaged, because of Troy's cognitive delays he does not seem to be self conscious of his appearance.  We are just glad to have him doing so much better. 
Here are a couple of my favorite shots of Troy:

                                       
                                                                    Troy in 2010

Troy at Disneyland earlier this year.  Kris & Darrin gave us a wonderful calendar as a Christmas gift with photos of their family on each page from their Disneyland adventure.  We were so pleased to see how much fun they had!

We also got some time with Gabriel, Jacob's older brother who is our GREAT-grandson.  We took the kids to see Santa Clause and very much enjoyed the lights and festivities - FINALLY helping me to get into the Christmas Spirit .

We had less time with Greg, Larry's other son who lives all the way over in Casa Grande.  But even though our visit with him was shorter, it was great to see him too.

Now that the visit is over, I do wish I had taken more pictures to hold on to the memories. However, I realize it can be annoying to family to always have a camera in their face. In the future I'll strive for more balance, hopefully getting a few more shots than this trip, but perhaps less than I have in the past.   With or without pictures to prove it though, we really were so happy to see them all and love them all to the moon and back.

Back in the USA!

We cleared customs in the LA airport without a single hitch.  I took a chance on bringing home a box of favorite shells from our New Zealand beaches, not knowing for sure whether US Customs would let us keep them.  I was surprised that they never even looked.  NZ has very tight rules for not allowing any biological agents in, but apparently the US is less concerned about something as simple as sea shells.  We of course declared everything we brought, but there was no issue.   So I was happy we could keep our reminders of favorite walks along the water's edge.  We were through the gates and headed over to the domestic terminal in no time.  First part of our journey accomplished!   One more flight to go.

Although we are taking a break from our mission assignment to tend to some family matters, we are still wearing our badges and mindful that we are representives of Jesus Christ in all we say and do.  Many people who saw our badges asked us if we were heading out or coming home.  There were a lot of surprised looks when we said we were still in the middle of the mission.

Many expect that Senior missionaries would have the same rules and structure that the young elders and sisters do.  That's what we thought when we first went out.   I certainly never would have guessed we'd be allowed a visit home like this.   We are so grateful for this opportunity.

Due to the International Date Line we actually arrived before we left - how crazy is that after a 12 hour flight?   We were stiff and bleary eyed from the long journey across the ocean, but ever so excited to be back on our own native soil.

Home for the Holidays

We enjoyed our time with Ormonds.  However, as soon as it was time for them to leave we had to scramble to get ready for our own big trip back to the USA.  We will fly out on 15 December and will come back on 8 January.  I still can hardly believe we are actually going home for the holidays.

We are excited beyond words that Aaron and Stephanie have chosen to go to the temple - which is the real reason we are going.  On top of that, however, is a chance to see so many we love and to enjoy having a real white Christmas in Idaho.

We have been packing and unpacking and repacking our suitcases to get them all at just the right weight.   We want to take home all the little things we have picked up in the islands, plus Christmas presents we have for our family.   Additionally, we will take some of the clothes/shoes/other stuff we brought with us that we don't often use and leave them in our storage shed so they won't take up space or weight on our final exit.   Then, on our return trip back to New Zealand after the holidays, that space will go to some of the supplies we will pick up in America that we can't easily get here.   We will also raid our clothing box in the storage shed for a few items to bring back.   Oh, what a delight to have something different from the four or five mix-and-match outfits I've worn over and over again since this mission started.  

We didn't have a clear idea of what would be practical for us here. The only direction we had was the mission guidelines which are really intended for the young missionaries who have very different rules from Senior missionaries.  We definitely wish we had brought more casual wear for the things we get to do on our P-days.  So we are grateful to get the unexpected blessing to get a Do-Over on our wardrobes at the half way point of our mission.

Besides just wanting to change out some clothes, we are making lists, trying to think of anything and everything we might want to consider to bring back with us.   People back in America have NO idea what a blessing it is to be able to just go to a store and have such a wide selection of goods available to them.  

We are fortunate in that New Zealand is very much part of the developed world and does have most modern conveniences.  Still, there are so many brands and products that we just never see here. Others are in the store but are outrageously expensive.   (Example, in the USA a LARGE bottle of hydrogen peroxide is less than $1.00.   Here I got a TINY bottle for $10.00.   I almost choked!)

We will restock on vitamins and bring back another full year of our prescription meds.  We will get Shake 'N'Bake and sun screen, a box of Larry's favorite granola and who knows what else?    

We know this will NOT be a restful holiday.   We have quite a long road trip planned in order to see as many of our family and friends along the way as we can.  (Also to get my car from where it is stored in Arizona up to Idaho where we will be when this mission ends.)   We have so many details yet to get sorted out.  Through all the planning,  I've been on pins and needles with anticipation for days.

Last Christmas was so forlorn - here in a far away land with no clue of what we were supposed to be doing and missing our family terribly.   This year we are nearly giddy to know we get to go home.   What a blessing!    We so appreciate the fact that President Pearson and President Balli both gave us the green light to make this trip.  Rules for Senior missions are indeed VERY different from those of the young Elders and Sisters.  I think if more seniors knew just how flexible it really can be there might be less hesitation for people who hold back from committing to a full time mission.

Elder Pearson told us in Tonga that if any Sr. missionary had a special family event they wanted to be part of they should go if they could afford to do so.   This will definitely strain our budget.  We never expected or planned for this.  But once we got over the initial worry over the price tag and decided it was the right thing for us to do we just went for it.   Now, as the days are getting closer for our departure, I am so very glad we did.   We are going HOME for the holidays.   I can't wait!

Blessings in Whangarei Stake

As soon as we were finished with our part of the PAO Christmas festivities,  we took off for Whangarei.  We came up again to do the leadership training we planned with the Stake Presidency last week.  It turned out to be one of our best ever.  We met at the building in Hikurangi.  During the planning meeting President Poutou has said he didn't want the people coming to the training to simply hear another talk about Family History.  He wanted them fully engaged in doing it.  So he had us set up a bunch of lap top computers right in the foyer where people would have to walk by us to get in and out of their meeting.   In the opening he had us both give some brief remarks.  But then once the leaders broke up into the various groups he asked that they take turns stepping out of their meetings to work on their 15 in 15.

1st Counselor, Eldon Whittaker, Stake President Anthony Poutu and
 Exec Sec. Peter Rouse

Whangarei Stake 2nd Counselor, Ronald Reti

Teara Armstrong - Stake Assistant Clerk / Technology Specialist

Rihimona Davis - 2nd Counselor in Bishopric of Hikurangi wa

   We helped MANY of them to find family names to submit to the temple.  Hearts were touched.  Even some who were sure there was no way they could find a name saw that it was possible.  The Spirit of Elijah was so strong as we worked with them, it was amazing.

Then today on the way home we stopped for a short hike to see another lovely waterfall.  The trail head to Waipu falls is just 6K off the main road. There are about 60 steps down into the gorge followed by a short walk along the river, then it opens up to a lovely spot for a picnic. It was as gorgeous end to a really special trip.

As we bring 2015 to a close we are feeling very grateful for all these experiences.

                                 

         

                                               

                                                   

PAO Christmas Party

Today we had the Pacific Area Office Christmas Party.   There was a lovely buffet luncheon for the entire staff made up of both church employees and all the senior missionaries that work there.

For the entertainment, all the Missionaries and Church Employees had been assigned into groups for a skit / lip synching contest.  Family History was teamed up with Human Resources group.  They are pictured here as follows from Top stair to bottom:

Human Resources Department

Lorena Costa – HR Coordinator

Nilo Penales – HR Operations Business Partner, S&I

Ruth Hamon -  HR Generalist Business Partner

Vanessa Teio-Poleo – NZ Human Resources Manager

Albert Niuelua – Area Human Resources Manager

We did a dance to mash up of  Feliz Navidad and I Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Doesn't Larry look great with Blue Hair??  We only had a few times to get together to plan what we would do and practice it once or twice.  Having seen the video later, let's just say none of us should give up our day jobs to try to take this sort of thing on full time.  Still, it was a lot of fun working with these folks during our lunch hours to share some laughs as we put it together.  

Here are some of the other staff that work at the PAO:

Self Reliance Department

Elder Reed Spencer  & Sister Nada Spencer – Pacific Area Education Specialist Coordinating Couple

Renee Solomon – Pacific Area Self-Reliance Support Specialist

Paul Reid – Pacific Area Self-Reliance Manager

Dean Westerlund – Pacific Area Education Manager

Ariel Wetere – Pacific Area Self Reliance Operations Manager

(in front) Dallas Olsen – Senior Admin Assistant (Welfare)

Public Affairs Department

Missionaries:  Elder Barry Preator & Sister Susan Preator on left
Elder Jeffrey Camplin and Sister Linda Champlin on right.  

In center is Rich Hunter,  Public Affairs Manager for the Area.

Previous public affairs missionaries that we worked closely with were the Fugals and Wallaces:

Paula and Guy Fugal

AP Missionaries and Secretaries 

Carol and Keith Wallace

(These department photos were taken a few months AFTER the Christmas party and added later.  Back at that time The In-Field Rep was Elder Dirk Cotterell, assisted by his wife Sister Sally Ann Cotterell.  Elder Bruce Brereton was serving as Exec Secretary to the Area Presidency, assisted by his wife Sister Patsy Brereton.  Elder Allen Whidden with the Mental Health Rep assisted by his wife Sister Arendje Whidden.  The Area Medical Adviser when we first came was Elder Doyle Brown assisted by his wife Sister Jeanne Brown.   Part of mission life is getting used to the fact that we get close to people who cycle in and out of our lives as their terms of service come and go.)

Publishing Services Department    

Materials Manangment Derpartment

Physical Facilities Department

Finance Department

Legal Department

And of course, our own Family History Department:

Area FH Manager, Mike Higgins, Elder Bennett & Sister Bennett

We truly do work with a great group of folks.  Some we know better than others.  In truth, there are more than a few that I don't know at all, as shown by the fact that I couldn't put a name to every face in the photos.  Still, we appreciate the friendly way we are greeting in the lunch room or as we are going about our business.  We see a lot of these folks at Monday morning devotional and have visited with some about various things.  Others we've worked one-on-one with to help them with their own family history.  Being surrounded by such high caliber people is a great benefit of working in the Area Office.  So we enjoyed being with them all at the party today.

However, it did seem strange that this party was to celebrate Christmas.  We have been so incredibly busy between our preparations for our upcoming trip to the USA and our ongoing work assignment working hard to meet the My Family 15 in 15 goals  that we have not done any decorating or baking or other things to keep our usual holiday traditions.  Also, with the seasons reversed here in the Southern hemisphere, it's summer now which is a big switch from our experience in the state.  The other major difference is that very few houses are decorated here and most stores don't make a big deal about it at all.

In the US, Christmas is blasted from every store beginning as early as October.  Private homes become beacons as owners drape every window, gutter and tree with lights.  Here there is very little sign of the upcoming holiday, either commercially or in neighborhoods.  Every now and then we will see a decoration or two someone has put up, but it just isn't publicly promoted the way we are accustomed to.  In a way I like that it is not a commercial extravaganza here, but it is hard to get into any sort of festive mood without some of the sparkle we have come to associate with Christmas.  

Nevertheless, the PAO party went off well.  We enjoyed the company of those we work with and a good time was had by all.

Elder Bennett Turns 70!

Exactly one year ago today we were entering the MTC in Provo, Utah to begin this mission adventure.  Exactly 70 years ago today, my dear companion was born.  Today feels like a very auspicious day indeed.

We were scheduled to return to Whangarei for a planning meeting with Stake leaders for a special training we will do next week.  We figured this would be a great opportunity to show the Ormonds a taste of the Northlands and it also allowed us to celebrate Larry's birthday with our dear friends, Bruce and Doreen Savill and Rosemary Waters who live up that way.

We thought about several different ways we might have commemorated Larry beginning his 7th decade.  In the end, however, nothing could compare with being in the company of good friends and fulfilling our assignment as full time missionaries in this beautiful land.

It was an awesome day!

Larry with his birthday cake

Bruce made a special keepsake gift for Larry out of a piece of Kauri wood.
We will both treasure it for years to come as a reminder of their sweet friendship.

Bruce, Doreen and Rosemary in the Chapel by the falls
We so appreciated their kindness and enjoyed our time with them very much.

It was a great trip all the way around.  Our meetings with the Stake leaders went very well.  We were so impressed by President Anthony Poutu, he is truly an inspired man with great love for the members of his stake.

Then both on the way up and on the way back we got to show the Ormonds some very special places.   This country is so beautiful, I just never get tired of exploring it.

Larry and I standing next to the McKinney Kauri tree near Warkworth,
the place where we always stop on the way up north.

Kauri is the National Tree of New Zealand, and the McKinney Kauri is a nationally recognized specimen. It is estimated to be between 800-900 years old.

When the Europeans settled New Zealand, Rev. McKinney, the 1st Presbyterian Minister of Warkworth, originally owned this land. In 1965, Harry Parry and the school children of Warkworth raised funds to purchase and dedicate a public park to preserve 21 acres of bush containing several large Kauri trees. 

The walkway thru the bush is maintained by Kauri Bushmen's Association, and guided nature trail around the tree by the Forest and Bird Protection Society.

There is a second large Kauri a few yards west of the McKinney Kauri, named the Simpson Kauri, after the second owner of the property. The two Kauri are cited as the largest on the East coast of New Zealand.

See HERE for more info on this tree

                                       

Dave & Gayle

Us at our beach break

Me standing inside the trunk of a Kauri tree at the Kauri Museum

The "Gum Room"

A lovely inlay piece of Kauri Art

One of Rosemary's peacocks